h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

The image of the Laughing Buddha really is one of the best

I'm glad I read this post today...just thinking about the laughing buddha reminds me of the folly of anxiety and I was just starting to let the negative trip roll...

*hugs for PE*

There were some things I simply knew or understanded. I had not learned them growing up on the farm quiet the contrary the farmers were mostly Baptist, and yes they feared their God. But me, I knew God wouldnt punish me or leave me in hell so the preacher man didnt have that on me. As I grew older their illusions seemed to alienate me from them. I guess everywhere the greater waring fractions imposes its will upon the lesser and all it gets is less brotherhood and peace than before.

...and some of those hellfire preachers had their hand in the collection plate too, I'm sure. What alienated me from most 'conventional' religions when I was growing up was the insincerity of the folks involved...gossipy, two faced, small town life got to be a bore. And all were 'the faithful flock'. Maybe it works for somebody...never did for me.

I think we grow up with so many questions: "Where is God?" - "Who is God?" - the social aspects of God in society - and ourselves in relation to Him.

Is He a Merciful, Compassionate God? In the Old Testament, we find an angry, jealous, God of revenge. He can be quite frightening.

But as we read further into the Bible - he becomes a more Compassionate, Understanding and even more Just God. Still the same God, but seen in a different way.


How we learn to worship -- in a complex society, where people are less than perfect -- but God is always there too. We just have to learn how to listen.

Doesn't that remind you though, of the many faces or aspects of Buddha? Do you see a recurring theme here? And, in closer study, it is taught that 'god' is IN us...or we all HAVE 'buddha nature', and in some obscure renderings, we are 'in the light' or what have you.

Yeah, you guys are on it.I want to very best of me to be here. It is the compassion of Buddha letterhead. Interestering thought "Iam compassion" who wrote that ? just kidding..

Hotoi is the laughing Buddah; the compassionate Buddah is Ameida (sometimes called Amitoba) There is a Buddhist temple where I live based on the Soka Gakai sect. Very loving, happy and peacefull folks. I was raised Roman Catholic but have studied eastern religions extensively. I like to think of myself as a Buddhist/Taoist/Deist/Christian. Hmm...? Does that make sense? I also find great value in the Sikh faith. But the Jain faith, founded by Mahavira and placing such a profound stress on ahimsa, is also compelling. While I respect Islam I cannot accept the idea of eternal damnnation or the denigration of women. Hinduism is too nebulous for me to accept to the exclusion of other faiths (but then Hinduism believes ALL faiths worship Brahmah in their own way). Hinduism also seems very complex. Bahai is also interesting. So many others: Parsi, Morman, Judeaism, Falon Gong, Shinto, Sufi. Perhaps Bob Dylan put it best: "Ring them bells St. Martha so all men will know that God is one." Anyway, I am rambling again Just wanted to put my "two cents" in. Love to all! MM

I have to agree with you MM, - whatever you call God - the name doesn't really matter. He will always be the same God. And we can learn how to love him if we learn how to open our hearts, and allow His love to express itself in us. Sounds a bit 'trite' but I think it is true.

Its not trite. "Love one another as I have loved you." The best 8 words ever spoken! MM

Christ's message was of the purest and highest form of love. Thank you for remembering that.

I still intend to answer your previous message with more care - sorry I don't always have enough time, - that was a fine summary.

Yes to non-harming and to loving-kindness [metta] -- always the same message. It is a difficult path for humans to follow, but I trust we all will find our way.

Lady Julian of Norwich (one of my favourite quotes, but don't know if I'll remember it properly) ..."to all you gentle Christians: All shall be well, ...all manner of things shall be well."

Love and non-harm is understanding in it's truest form...you identify with the ALL and the MANIFESTATION. Jainism? Well...you might not want to walk or even breathe because you might injure a living entity (I'm not joking). But look at the face of Shiva or Kali, Jihad in Islam. The other side of the coin, the yang to the yin, the destroying aspect as opposed to the creative-nurturing. Both sides of the same coin. As long as you are manifested in this third dimension you'll see/experience both sides no matter what you believe. So pick whatever avatar you want. Personally, I tend to follow any teachings that lead one to non-violence, compassion, and self-discipline. But if someone kicks down my door and comes after me I'll blow them away.

Your quote about too much religion being harmful is also very apt. When people don't put their views in perspective and become fanatical then I see it as being "too much religion"

And the idea of striking back is human. Christ told us not to strike back. He even returned the soldier's ear. Unfortunately, his is the most difficult path on earth. People do react to violence and injustice, it is human. We are not 'perfect' -- but it is "good" to have ideals. Why not have them?

True, Peaceful, true. I DO believe in non-violence. What about self-preservation? Several years ago, a drugged up person broke into my apartment, beat me up and destroyed my property, then got off with "counseling" by having a lawyer that was VERY good...well,...forgiving a fool for what was done to you is one thing. Not learning from a horrid experience is another.

I am sorry to hear that. I am not sure if I would feel very charitable about the person either. But that is where the notion of justice and fairness (social ethics) has to be maintained by society. If I react with violence, I can begin a chain of violence. That is where religion, law and the various areas which study cultures meet. A very delicate area, for sure.

I know that how you feel is important. Justified anger -- and possibly wishing for some sort of retribution. Totally human. I know I would be angry too, and I don't know how I would deal with it.

The world is my mirror, so within so without. I simply cant get away from that. I recon the rest is fate perhpas destiny for my soul to learn.n Perhaps mind and soul are one. I know what i put in comes out 10 fold. I am a being a powerful spiritual being. I guess anything is possible with the power of God. That being said the world is my oyster and im gonna hug it..

What you were talking about, though - self-preservation - that is a previous step in the ladder.

I think it depends on how one considers others. Who is more important - you or another person. If someone asked me the same question, and I had to answer honestly - I would probably prefer to do harm to the other person. But it is always a painful idea.

I would prefer never to have to think about it - and that it had never happened to you. In Humanity's ideals and questions I find that so many have always been trying to find a way to heal individuals and society.

If only we had better answers or better questions.

When Christ said to "turn the other cheek" he was referring to a Roman tradition. After being struck the first time, to be struck across the cheek the second time a Roman would have to use the back of his hand. In Roman times to be struck with the back of the hand across the cheek was to acknowledge that the person being struck was your equal. So, if you got struck again after turning your cheek, the Roman was treating you as his equal. To treat a Jew as an equal was unthinkable to a Roman. Also, Christ expressed "righteous" violence when he threw the money-changers out of the temple. Yeah ox, I knew that about the Jains: they were a strong influence on Mohandus Gandhi. I could never be a Jain because, like you ox, if someone practised violence on me I would at least take them down with me. But you have to be careful about the "righteous violence" thing. Jehovas' Witnesses have used the same principle to tell outright lies. "Devine Deception" it is called. There has been too much violence in the name of God as ox pointed out with the Islamic Jihad. Islam also practises "conversion by the sword". And did you hear about the Jehovas' Witnesses who were baptising people ALREADY IN THE GRAVE! Reminds me of Dostoyevsky's book "The Dead Souls". Ah well, God is full of cunumdrums. I guess that's where faith comes in. I don't dwell much on God as I have no qualms with him. I just try to treat others well. This has caused me some problems because I have "sucker" written on my forehead. I have "soft touch" written all over me. Life is full of tough lessons. Just have to carry on! MM

We have established, then, that it is not easy not to strike back - not easy to forgive.

[and thank you for the explanation - I did hear it once, but it was so long ago I had forgotten all about it.]

The problem about 'understanding' God is when we start to think about him in 'human' terms.

The Irish nuns who taught me cathecism were brilliant about this: God is everywhere - look at the air around you - He is there. And that is the reason I continued to believe in Him, even when my friends told me He didn't exist. Reason I never could adhere to the materialistic sect (which I feel is an offspring of Christianity)which people called 'communism'. I can accept the notion of "No God" in the sense that we cannot know Him.

But there will always be Truth, Love, Compassion, Justice - and it appears to be a source of love.

***
On a more personal note, MM - if you are aware you are vulnerable, that will always help you to protect yourself. I once was cheated by a six-year-old urchin. I knew he was going to do it, he still fooled me - and his eyes had such a happy look afterwards, I couldn't even feel angry about it. But I never forget how vulnerable I can be - I do make an effort to continue - and have even learned how to laugh about it

Then again, what if violence isn't always random and we DO set ourselves up to experience it? I don't mean the atrocities perpetrated on the innocent of the world but everyday stuff like what happened to me. Maybe my own lack of caution or low self esteem made me a target. I refuse to blame the Great Unknown for human error.
I really enjoyed the input from everybody, and the info into the Roman custom of turn-the-other-cheek really brought some insight, MM.
I don't know if where one lives has anything to do with a heightened sense of self-preservation...I live in an area of Tampa that is working class, multi-racial, rough, some practice Santeria, most keep to themselves after dark; I think you get the picture. And in the summer when it's boiling hot...